Yo, how are you all this fine evening? Me I'm just working the kinks out of my systems, the usual routine. Well here we are once again with a new chapter for the masses, hope you like this one cause this came on an odd flash of inspiration from nowhere. Well thank you for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this latest installment!

"Talking"

'Thought'

(Disclaimer)

Chapter 7: Exam Pt. 1

Tsunade let loose another loud yawn as she stared down at the scrolls she had just finished, that massive pile that had built up on her desk the past few weeks had vanished into a brand new stack labeled complete. She leaned back in her chair with a self satisfied smile, despite the rings around her eyes and her frequent yawns she was damn proud of herself.

She had found the strength to pull an all nighter, filling out scrolls at a pace that she was sure Sarutobi would have been proud of. Now this feat was something special to her, the past few years she had trouble with these menial tasks and other wise boring work but suddenly a new light came to it.

She probably sounded like a broken record with this phrase but thank you Naruto. It seemed that ever since their talk just a few days ago she was sure that Konoha was going to be saved. Then again that was the effect Naruto had on people, he resounded an aura that felt like everything was going to be ok.

When she ran the information of Naruto's reappearance and acceptance by a few of the village's shinobi she expected reactions and thus results on how she was to handle this situation. As she suspected several ninja, many of high rankings, were outraged at the thought of letting the 'traitor' back into their ranks. A simple reminder of Uchiha Sasuke and all of them instantly shut their traps.

However above these loud mouthed and bigoted ninja were many lesser and middle ranked ninja who were excited about Naruto's return, remembering how high he rose with his power as Konoha's Rokudaime. His spirit and strength completely overshadowed the pain in their minds. She was proud of those ninja, they saw past mistakes and were ready and willing to allow those who made them to start with a clean slate.

Her thoughts were interrupted suddenly by the squealing of hinges and the creaking of a gigantic wooden door. She turned her eyes to the entrance of her office in time to see a certain silver haired ninja standing there with a scroll in his hand. "Hokage-sama," Zaiaku spoke solemnly, "we have received word that the Kazekage is returning for the…events being held later today."

Tsunade smirked and stood, "oh is that so? He's coming to watch the Uzumaki testing? I thought he left immediately after the meeting without so much as a goodbye." Zaiaku nodded with a suppressed smirk, "he says that he's waited a long time to show Akane how an Uzumaki fights. He said that the only way she would go is if he dragged her here himself." Tsunade laughed and accepted the scroll Zaiaku held out to her, "well that's some entertaining news. What's this?"

Zaiaku's face suddenly transformed into a look of anger masked by indifference, "the other day my son reported…less than favorable goings on in the village." Tsunade looked confused for a moment before she unfurled the scroll and read the contents, her confused glance being overshadowed by a darkening glare. "Do we have names?" Tsunade spat venomously but Zaiaku only shook his head, "I'm afraid he couldn't get a name before they left."

Tsunade nearly growled as she slammed the scroll onto the desk, nearly destroying both in the process. "Hokage-sama," Zaiaku spoke, "I understand your anger at this but there is a reason I brought this to you attention." Tsunade's head snapped up and faced Zaiaku and his ice cold voice, "I have a feeling that if this issue is not addressed immediately others with copy the behavior. Even though the parents present didn't know the young ones were Naruto's children when they do…it could be a repeat of Naruto's entire life."

Tsunade was silent, staring first at Zaiaku then the scroll that was deftly crushed beneath her palm. Her mind was working swiftly thinking of what to do, many ideas sprung to mind but she was questioning their individual effectiveness. This subject required finesse that despite her age and experience she found herself questioning if it was strong and yet light enough to work. Sarutobi had to deal with this a long time ago but back then the one being targeted couldn't speak for himself. Her eyes opened in realization; that was the answer…

He let out a tired sigh as he took those final steps to the base of the tree. In all physical aspects it was just an average tree, tall and with a thick trunk that was common among the trees in Konoha. The only true difference was a light brown patch where the bark had been worn away. However to Zaimaru this was not just any tree. This was what he considered to be his family tree.

His father would tell him how he would lean on this tree for hours, lost in thought long before his sensei and Itami showed up for the daily training or mission. This was a tree of great age and experience, the scars torn into it by rage healed as if nothing had happened. The branches where one could just sit and think stood proud and sturdy. So many stories were based off this old tree, settling his back into the light brown niche that had formed he decided to start making new ones.

"Well look who it is," came a calm smooth voice from the tall branches of the tree, he didn't even have to look up to know who it was. "Hello Katana," he said, his voice lacking its usual mirth in favor of a more neutral tone, a tone that masked his emotions fully. As she spoke he could picture the smirk on her face, "I see you're getting back into the skin you were born with."

Zaimaru sighed and cast his gaze up, viewing Katana lounging on a branch high above. She was garbed in surprisingly dark clothes for being one of the Hyuga but none the less it still gave off the aura of power that all Hyuga emanated. "I've been this way my entire life Katana," he said with a slightly sorrowful smile, "I wasn't born into any other skin."

Katana smirked cruelly and with one quick roll she fell from the branch only to land just inches before him. She gave him a smirk, her Byakugan glinting dangerously as the dark look crossed her features. This was something that could give any ninja the chills. The look she gave him sent a feeling of cold pain surge through his stomach, "can I help you?" Before she could utter a word a loud shout brought the tension match to an end.

"Hello my friends!" shouted a voice that could destroy eardrums if they were close enough. Zaimaru sighed in relief as Katana stepped back and glared at the offender with a not to small level of contempt, "hello Lee."

Making his appearance was not the Rock Lee that had become the number one Taijutsu user in not only Konoha but the entire ninja world, no. The ninja that now approached the two was his son, Rock Lee Jr. Despite his lineage you would have to look very close to find the resemblance to the famous name he was related to. If you asked him he would curse the gods for not giving him his father's good looks but everyone else thought different.

His eyes, instead of being large with a beady dot for a pupil, were a very expressive shade of deep brown and he had smooth and silky jet black hair that was tied back into a small and tight tail. Just as with a bowl haircut he was absolutely forbidden to wear a neon green jumpsuit; his mother would literally cut it off his body if she caught him in it. His eyebrows…dear god they were actually normal.

His hands were wrapped in bandages and on his legs were dark blue leg warmers. Under those accessories he was dressed in a much more stylish black jumpsuit with a Chuunin vest that, needless to say, looked pretty good on him.

"Isn't it a great day to be reveling in the flames of youth!" he yelled, now only if he could fix that small personality problem. Zaimaru smiled, not only in reaction to Lee's attitude but in relief for ridding him of Katana for the time being. "Lee!" he said with a wide smile, "ready for our daily sparring?" Lee sighed and crossed his arms dramatically, "I am sorry my good friend but Oto…I mean sensei has called us to watch some new ninja test for their position."

Zaimaru gave Lee a confused look, "ninja? Do you know who?" Lee shook his head, "sensei would not give that information to me. He only said they were very powerful and we would benefit from watching them." Zaimaru shrugged and smiled, "only one thing to do Lee!" Jr. grinned wide and said, "Zaimaru I challenge you to a race to the stadium!" "Go!" they both shouted and Lee was off in a blur however that was not the case for Zaimaru.

Before he could take one step he found himself suddenly face to face with the ground, his right leg numb and useless from the knee down. "Ow," he managed to mutter as he sat up, trying to rub feeling back into his appendage. He continued to rub the leg but he didn't regain feeling, just a perpetual cold numbness. It was as if his leg went dead…

"Katana," he spoke looking up to the cold white eyes of his team mate, "what did you do that for?" "Saving you from turning into happy shit again…" Katana remarked with a smirk as she started walking, "Tetsu no Shinkan." Zaimaru stared at her vanishing form with a distraught face for a few moments before letting his gaze fall to his leg, the welts created by Juken swiftly rising to the surface. "My name is Zaimaru," he muttered angrily as he viciously rubbed the leg, forcing chakra into the appendage with the hope of opening the closed tenketsu.

"They what," asked, no, demanded a certain single eyed Kitsune as he stared at the Godaime Hokage. His voice was cold and full of fury as his single golden edged cerulean eye glared with enough power to pierce steel. "You heard what I said Naruto," Tsunade replied with a saddened gaze, "I'm sorry." Naruto turned away with gritted teeth, thanking the higher power that Tsunade had pulled them away into a jutsu silenced conference room. If Kyuubi or worse Hinata heard what had happened they would have total shit fits.

Naruto took a deep breath, calming his growing rage before he spoke, "I'll take care of it." Tsunade placed a hand on his shoulder, "are you sure? With that kind of distraction your evaluation may be ruined." Naruto scoffed then faced her with a wide grin, "who the hell do you think I am? I'm Uzumaki Naruto damn it and on my Kitsune blood I will take care of this."

Tsunade gave him a nod, somewhat reassured by him but not completely convinced. At this point she hoped she knew how his mind worked and with the recent events…it could be problematic.

Naruto stretched his organic arm across his chest as he walked by Tsunade, heading for the exit to the jutsu protected room, "so is this going to be a Konoha wide event or what?" Tsunade smirked lightly, "you will be performing your exam in the center of the Exam Stadium. Seeing as you have proven to take no hostages in regard to property I decided this would be best."

Naruto laughed, "and you knew I do my best in front of a crowd. Thanks Obaa-chan!" He quickly exited to avoid Tsunade's fist but it wasn't charging up, not even twitching. Tsunade only held a soft smile as she followed Naruto, this was going to be very interesting.

If one were to stand in the very center of the stadium floor they would be in for a treat unless of course they were fighting but that's beside the point. Surrounding the floor was a stadium that through the years had been completely renovated. It had brand new, more comfortable seats along with drink holders! Just kidding, but it was a very intricate set up.

It was constructed with thick reinforced concrete and steel slabs allowing it to withstand anything that nature or ninja could throw at it. While inside the stadium it looked quite impressive the outside was what held the greatest beauty.

Its intricate architecture was an amazing sight, allowing it to be beautiful yet strong in its defense. Painted just above the entrances was a massive mural, depicting amazing moments in time from the beginning of Konoha to the present. In a century it was expected to be finished by being wrapped around the arena completely and then have yet another begin.

To complete the Colosseum there were defenses, hallways to no where and what not, to prevent any ninja who might be sneaking from either interrupting or attempting to assassinate the Kages. Yep it was beautifully designed and constructed, special order from a friend of a certain wave country bridge builder. However right now a good portion of those new comfy seats, complete with drink holders, were occupied with the many ninja awaiting something that was being called the most anticipated exam in history.

"So you think this ninja is what they're cracked up to be?" asked a certain fiery haired ninja, his emerald eyes gazing at the floor awaiting some action. "Could be, couldn't be," muttered Suzume, her chin resting in her hands with her elbows on her knees. With her fingers covering her mouth she was posed in a way that that many called the classic Uchiha brooding position.

"He could be weak and he could be strong," Kenshin said with a calm demeanor, "it depends on who the opponent and proctor is. Even the rules are significant. There are too many x factors to account for." "Keh, you're thinking too much Kenshin!" shouted Kawamaru as he plopped down behind the three, "it's either this guy is strong or he's weak! Nothing to it!" The small golden dog on his head could only bark in agreement.

"Kawamaru-kun," came a feminine voice, "you should know by now that there is more to it than that." Before more of the conversation can be revealed let us pause time and examine who the owner of said voice is. The person, obviously female, seemed to be of fair height for a young woman but other than that it was a mystery. She wore a heavy dark grey coat; it pretty much covered her from nose to knees.

Her sandals were not the most feminine around but they did manage to remain somewhat individual with their slight design modifications and pitch black color. They matched her equally dark pants perfectly. Her face, while being primarily covered, did exhibit a more feminine look and the long light grey hair that hung down to her shoulders was almost a dead giveaway.

Her eyes were hidden behind a pair of almost pitch black glasses completing the mysterious apparel. At the moment her hands were in her coats pockets and she was in the process of settling into the seat next to Kawamaru.

"Oh don't tell me you're taking his side Shinta!" Kawamaru asked with a mock hurt face making the girl named Shinta shake her head slowly at his behavior. "Whatever, where's Sora and them?" Kawamaru asked and was answered by a loud voice shouting, "they received a mission early this morning! It is too bad they will miss this amazing display of the flames of youth!"

Kawamaru winced and turned to see Lee Jr. sitting next to him and just on the other side was Katana, her arms crossed and her Byakugan eyes watching the examination field intently. Suddenly Kawamaru's face grew grim and he began to growl, "where's Zaimaru."

Lee's face fell in disappointment, "he decided he would sit somewhere else, he said he would rather watch this event on his own." Kawamaru smirked triumphantly despite the whine of the pup on his head, "he's finally learning." "You do realize dog," Katana said giving him a dangerous side glance, "Onigiri could crush you." Kawamaru sneered in disgust and anger, "I'd like to see him try. The coward doesn't have shit on me."

"Will you two shut up," muttered Suzume throwing her reddening gaze over to Katana then Kawamaru, "the more you talk the more I want to jab a kunai in your eye." Kenshin sighed and whispered under his breath, "here we go again." Kajiba snickered a bit and whispered his reply, "I'm with yah there."

Soon the small banter turned into a full blown argument with Kenshin, Kajiba, Lee, and Shinta caught in the middle. He smirked at the scene in the stands quite a ways away, "and that is why I'm glad I'm sitting here." "You're only here on a technicality," came a cool and composed voice, a feminine one at that.

Just as with Shinta let us examine this young woman. She, at the moment, was seated next to Zaimaru but it was quite apparent that she was not from around Leaf. Taking into account the different features of her clothes and a very similar resemblance to the Kazekage and you come up with only one explanation. This was, in fact, the Kazekage's daughter.

She had medium length hair but it had to be the most beautiful shade of red ever created. It practically glowed crimson, the color of fresh blood, and it looked absolutely amazing. This remarkable feature was only offset by a few things, well more than a few. Her eyes were a vibrant emerald green, so piercing despite the beauty it was as if she could cut your soul in half with just her eyes.

Unlike most Kunoichi, who had a great tendency to dress in much more open clothes, she had opted for the more tom boyish approach to clothing and was appareled in something similar to what her father wore in his youth. Seeing as she was lucky enough to inherit a certain ability from Gaara she was even able to copy his gourd of sand but not on such a large scale.

"Which technicality is that Akane?" Zaimaru asked with a smirk, "my father or yours?" Akane decided to return that smirk, "seeing as we're in the section for Kage relatives and friends I'd have to say mine." Zaimaru crossed his arms and shrugged, "whatever, at least I don't have to sit over there listening to the three hot heads argue while the rest of us try to maintain our dignity and sanity."

"What makes you think you can retain it here?" Akane asked as a wicked smile slowly attached itself to her features. Zaimaru faced her with a widened grin, "because you've exhausted just about everything in your book." "Oh really now?" she asked with a challenging air. Zaimaru held up his hands and shook his head in a pleading manner, "if you have come up with something new please wait until after. I want to be in the right frame of mind to appreciate this exam."

Akane sighed, "you're no fun at all Zaimaru." Zaimaru smiled in gratitude, "I know." With that they both fell into a comfortable silence, each watching the arena floor expectantly. Well at least Akane was, Zaimaru however was casting his gaze around the stands hopefully. In his search for a familiar flash of white he encountered things that made his mood sink just a bit deeper.

He saw them, even if those who produced them looked away the second his gaze fell upon them he could still see them. Glares, dark and angry glares locked onto him. Each and every one of those hateful looks being owned by no less than a Genin and no more than a Jounin. He was thankful that many of them were older generations; not many within his age group but still…

He turned away and focused his gaze upward, looking into the Kage box seeing Tsunade and Gaara speaking. He would bet any money that they were talking exactly that, placing gambles on the exam to be. He smirked and shook his head, those two never changed. Not since his father took him to 'work' when he was four. He briefly wondered if Tsunade ever won a bet with the Kazekage, of all the ones he heard about she always lost.

It was like a bolt of lightning, a flash of chakra set off the mental alarm of all ninja present and instantly all eyes were to the stadium floor. Amidst the smoke and leaves, in the center of four other beings, was a black cloak with a shock of golden hair and a bright smile, "hope I'm not late!

The reaction was instantaneous. Loud roars erupted throughout the stadium, some excited and joyous while others were scathing and to a point hateful. There were those who didn't know what the surprise was about only to hear the name Uzumaki Naruto, a name that was almost in every history book in Konoha. It was then up to them to either accept and cheer or sit in utter disbelief. Naruto had a keen sense of selective hearing so all he heard was the praise, the acclaim that came with his mere presence.

He had made sure Tsunade didn't tell a soul who was the one taking the exam, he wanted it to be a surprise to those who knew he was here and to those who didn't. Judging from the reaction he was pretty sure Obaa-chan got the job done. He laughed lightly and spoke in a quieter tone to his family that was now huddled around him.

"How do you like that huh?" he asked Kyuubi with a grin, "your old man still has the stuff to make a crowd scream!" Kyuubi grinned right back, "just you watch dad and I'll make them cheer a thousand times louder for me!" Naruto beamed at his son then turned to his Hitomi-chan, his beaming turning into a caring smile which she returned. They didn't need words; it was just the look that said enough between the father and daughter.

He turned to the twins and knelt down so he was somewhat at their height, "my little kits! You gonna watch your Otou-san kick some total butt?" Both of them nodded vigorously, "yep Otou-san! You're gonna kick everyone's butt!" He smiled and ruffled their hair, Tsunade with his organic hand and Arashi with his black glove. "Now you four run along," he said as he stood, "I need to speak with your Okaa-san."

They nodded and vanished in a whirl of leaves, reappearing on the steps to the Kage relatives and etc. seats. Naruto watched them go then turned to face Hinata, her smile small a fragile attempting to mask her worry. "Don't worry Hinata-chan," he said as he put his hands on her shoulders, "I'm going to be just fine."

He pulled her closer and closer until their noses just barely touched, "I love you Hinata and I promise nothing with break us apart." Hinata smiled, "you say that every time you do something dangerous or stupid." Naruto pulled her closer, their lips meeting for a short and sweet kiss. "It's because I mean it," he said as he pulled away, "I don't want to leave this world and have the last words to you be something stupid."

He sensed her unease slowly become lessened, her confidence in him renewed by his words. She had always been and always will she supposed, that was just the nature of their relationship. In a flurry of leaves and wind she reappeared on the steps next to her children, a calm smile on her face as they ascended the steps to find seats.

He smiled as he saw her, the bright white cascading waterfall of hair that flowed down the back of her clothes. Those five magnificent snow white tails that flowed behind her, his own smile wide hoping to catch her gaze. Her body moving with an unearthly grace as she climbed the steps. As he watched her walk he could see her head covertly turning this way and that, searching for something or someone.

She was just lucky enough to turn her head in his direction, catching sight of the gold and silver her eyes locked onto his form and a smile spread across her face. She started to raise her hand to wave but he shook his head, nodding to the form that was leading the way. She nodded in understanding knowing that if Kyuubi caught them…Zaimaru would get to prove how fast he was.

For a moment he just stood there, looking up into the crowd of what had to be hundreds of ninja. It was amazing what medical nins could do with the advancements in medical jutsu. He could have sworn half of the ninja here were on the side lines of a major battle only a few days prior. He smirked and looked down to the ground, or it could be his mind could be slipping, 'that's always a wonderful thought.'

Suddenly he snapped his head up; feeling a chakra signature behind him he turned and came face to face with a Chuunin holding what looked to be a microphone. Naruto raised an eyebrow and the Chuunin nodded, holding out the device to Naruto in a very casual manner. Naruto smirked, he couldn't help but admire the underwhelming response this ninja had to himself, "thanks."

The second Naruto gained a tight grip on the object the Chuunin was gone, vanishing in a spiral of dust to parts unknown to anyone but himself. Naruto took his organic index finger and tapped the top of the microphone being rewarded by thunking noises from no where. They must have installed speakers throughout the stadium while he was gone. He felt just a little stupid for not figuring that out quicker. Why else would some random Chuunin hand you a microphone before you take your test?

He took one last look around the stadium, evaluating each and every look that was thrown at him, then a deep breath. He was ready to begin…

End Chapter

Well how was that? Another of my patented cliffhangers, even if this one wasn't so much...I reiterate no Zaimaru is not a Naruto clone! There is a reason! I will show you all in time! Q and A!

Q: What does Oro mean?

A: You're not gonna give up are you? Well in the most common translation it's similar to our 'huh?' However...I can't say it. I just can't say it! Go on Google and search for translators because otherwise you're out of luck.

Q: The title of Golden Shield, Twilight Sword?

A: Answers will come in time.

Q: More tail questions.

A: Once again all will be answered.

Q: Kyuubi's power?

A: Later.

Q: Only one eye?

A: Oh that one is so being saved for later.

Well thank you all very much for the reviews. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and remember to review! Later!